Sorry I haven't posted in a while! There is always something to do around here. :)
I have to be truthful, I dropped the ball on studying. So when my friend helped me make up my schedule for the rest of the semester a couple weeks ago, the load was a little worrying. What made it worse was that I had a quiz that I had to catch up on reading for. The week leading up to the quiz was quite hectic, full, and stressful! Make things even worse when you add midterms into the week.
The whole situation turned out to be a learning experience, though. I had no choice but to lean on God for help, instead of trying to get things done in my own strength( which is what got me into trouble in the first place). As I had absolutely NO room for fudging, I honed my concentration skills and learned that I could get a chapter of a book read in 45 minutes to an hour depending on the length of the chapter. I gained confidence knowing that I was capable of completing the work and I'm a lot happier for learning this lesson! I praise God He helped me learn this lesson now and gave me a wonderful friend to challenge and encourage me when I so needed it!
God has really been teaching me about His sovereignty in this time as well. It started out with the infection in my ears(they're all better now!), learning that He could and would heal them in His own good time for His purpose and glory. Then I get a text my aunt and uncle's house was on fire. It was really hard, especially not being able to be there with my family through all this. But God asked me this: "Do you trust me enough to take care of things at home while you're away?" Yes, I did. I knew that He would take care of it, even if I didn't see how this could end well. But a week later I found out that they would have to tear down the house and build a new one. Which actually works out. The insurance company is paying for all of it. My aunt will get the kitchen she's always wanted. :) Yet again, God worked all the bad stuff for His glory.
I got a part in the second trio group in my choir. Honestly, my audition was not that good(no, I'm not just saying that). Not many auditioned. There were only 2 sopranos there including me. A few were going to audition later. So when I heard I had got a part in the group, I had to wonder if my professor really chose me or if I was his only other option. The moment I put the idea into mental words I could just picture God with His hands on His hips. And this is what He told me:" What have I been teaching you about my sovereignty? He didn't choose you, I did. I told you to go to that audition. I knew how many people were going to show up. I ordained everything. You have that part because I gave it to you. You asked for my will when you went into that audition and now you got it." Needless to say, I had no comeback. But it was such a good and needed lesson. All of these things happening have been opening my eyes to see how much He really does ordain things. And that's not all He has showed me.
I'll be honest, I still hadn't truly fallen in love with my college of choice, even as my family and I were pulling in for orientation. But it was one of the only colleges that offered my field of interest. I even asked God that if there was some other college that He wanted me to go to, to please show me. But nothing popped up. Instead God is confirming that I am right where I'm supposed to be by my just being here. By the amazing, godly friends I have. They are such an encouragement to me. By the things I am learning and the ways I am growing. By my fantastic professors! They truly want us to succeed and grow this season. All but one starts with prayer requests and prayer time. They are living out their faith daily! He is showing me by my awesome RA! She is the sweetest thing! My RD is awesome as well! She remembered me from Preview Day last year, makes visits to my hall, and never fails to put a smile on my face. :) Bottom line: There is no doubt in my mind that I am supposed to be at this specific college. I am really happy I didn't take classes online and stay at home for the first year!
Fall break was really good! I got to see family and friends that I haven't seen in a couple months! I got studying done, and rested up for the last half of the semester. Coming home was weird because my house just screams normal life. It was really weird knowing that I had to go back in a week. That I wasn't there to stay for good. Last time I was home, I didn't have any friends at my college and this time I was thinking a lot about the friends I had made here and texting some of them. It was weird because I almost feel like I lead two lives and it feels weird when they merge. The trip coming back was a lot better than the first one coming to the college. Looking back, I was so freaked out. I had no clue what I was getting myself into and I didn't know anybody coming in. It was good to know that I had a second family in the girls in my hall this time around. I was going back to what had become business as usual. Saying goodbye to my parents the second time around wasn't as hard as it was the first. Knowing that we would see each other in a little over a month helped too.
Well, I have church in the morning. Goodnight ya'll! Blessings!
